Firefighter message to public: Extinguish bonfires

Published 5:22 am, Saturday, July 14, 2012

Firefighters are sending a message to bonfire and firework enthusiasts after crews spent the better part of Thursday fighting a wildfire: Make sure everything is extinguished before you leave.

Jerome Township Fire Chief Bob McNett said the department received two calls from residents who saw smoke and smelled wood burning about 7 a.m. in the area of Nine Mile Road, one mile north of Saginaw Road. When firefighters reached the area, they found heavy smoke.

“It was very visible,” he said.

Their check of all the houses in the area yielded no clues about the fire’s location, so McNett began looking to other resources — in this case, that meant a Department of Natural Resources plane from Roscommon. Within 30 to 40 minutes, the plane was in the area and had located the flames. Without the plane, firefighters would have had to wait until the smoke became more defined to be able to track down its source, McNett said.

The crew found three acres burning in what was described as an area similar to a huckleberry marsh on state land off Nine Mile. It was located nearly half a mile down a trail to the west, burning toward the Pere Marquette Rail Trail. There was a concern that the wind might kick up and fan the flames.

Two units from the DNR and one Jerome Township engine responded, with the smaller units taking water to the scene from the engine, which was left on the road.

Crews were at the scene until 1:30 p.m., dealing with a challenge created by the recent weather — the fire burned down 8 to 12 inches into the ground, which is common in dry times.

The cause was a bonfire that had not been extinguished, but that’s not all that could have contributed.

“There was evidence of firecrackers and fireworks around the fire,” McNett said.

His advice to others who might want to enjoy a bonfire or fireworks is simple: “It’s extremely dry out. Make sure your bonfires are out.”

No firefighters were hurt.

The DNR will be checking for hot spots in the upcoming days to make sure the fire does not rekindle.